In a plenary debate on the future of European defence, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group underlined that Europe’s security now depends not only on military strength, but on industrial capacity, resilience and strategic readiness in an increasingly unstable security environment.

For the ECR Group, strengthening European defence must reinforce NATO, enhance deterrence and ensure Europe can respond rapidly and credibly to emerging threats. Defence capability today extends beyond armed forces alone and increasingly relies on the broader industrial ecosystem and the ability to mobilise production at scale.

Speaking in the debate, ECR Member Reinis Pozņaks said:

“We are not at war, but neither are we at peace. That’s why Europe’s defence today is shaped by far more than peacetime considerations.”

Mr Pozņaks stressed that modern defence readiness depends not only on technological superiority, but on the capacity to produce, adapt and mobilise quickly in response to crisis.

“It’s not only the quality of weapons that matters, but our ability to produce them quickly in sufficient quantities and our ability to adapt and mobilize”, he said.

He highlighted that defence capability increasingly involves the entire industrial base, including civilian manufacturing sectors, which must be enabled to contribute fully to Europe’s security.

“Defence is not just military production, it’s the entire industrial ecosystem”, Mr Pozņaks said.

The ECR Group emphasises that a competitive and innovative European defence industry — involving large manufacturers, SMEs and emerging technology sectors — is essential for long-term security, resilience and strategic autonomy, while remaining open to transatlantic cooperation and partnerships with trusted allies.

Mr Pozņaks also underlined the importance of secure and diversified supply chains:

“Independence from external suppliers is important, but whether we like it or not, not all materials critical to defence can be sourced within Europe. Therefore, we need our strategic partners that can lower the risks to our supply chains, industry and security.”

Concluding, he stressed that credible defence ultimately depends on political resolve and continued support for Ukraine:

“Defence capabilities are not defined by the number of weapons, but by the willingness to use them. We still have a choice. Provide these weapons to Ukraine today or wait until they are needed here. Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor is what will make Europe safer”, he said.

The ECR Group continues to advocate a realistic and comprehensive approach to European defence strengthening NATO, improving military mobility, increasing resilience of critical infrastructure and ensuring that defence cooperation remains grounded in Member States’ responsibilities while enhancing interoperability and operational effectiveness.